Technology is making the physical office environment more intelligent and responsive to company workflows. Today’s building owners and corporate occupiers have the ability to gather troves of information with sensors and The Internet of Things (IoT) that can help manage a building, right down to individual workspaces. From lighting, to HVAC, to access control, we are increasingly able to monitor and fine-tune every system in our buildings and workplaces.
And technology isn’t just improving the built environment but also the way we work and communicate. Video conferencing, social networks and virtual office technology has removed traditional workplace boundaries for enhanced productivity, collaboration, and flexibility. By incorporating “smart office” technologies, companies are making the physical work environment intelligent and adaptable to company workflows.
Here are three key areas that every modern office planner needs to consider when it comes to creating intelligent and productive work environments.
- Integration of new technology into the workplace
Our lives outside the workplace have been fully integrated with technology for some time now; and it is no secret that corporate leaders are looking for opportunities to further leverage technology inside the workplace too. Trends like “data analytics”, “collaboration”, “space efficiency”, “mobility”, “customer experience”, and “millennial attraction” are all key issues that the C-suite is wrestling with; and expecting their CRE and IT teams to address together. Each of these trends are centered on the need for a cohesive approach to the design integration of technology solutions throughout the workplace as a baseline requirement to deliver the returns that these ideas promise.
- Providing the workplace with an IT backbone
Smart technology isn’t just about putting in a programmable thermostat to cut your energy costs. It’s about understanding the needs and wants of tenants and their employees, and making the right technology investments to meet them. In today’s increasingly tech-savvy world, building occupants expect reliable connectivity, so they can use their mobile devices to their full capacity and take full advantage of the latest smart technologies ensuring convenience, security and comfort. Failing to meet this expectation can result in higher tenant turnover for landlords and higher employee churn for tenants, not to mention the significant revenue loss. Providing reliable connectivity solidifies occupant loyalty — and gives you a competitive edge against other buildings and workplaces.
- On-demand workplace management
As corporations look for cost reductions and efficiencies, technology will be an important solution to managing both scheduled and on-demand services, from catering and food services to events management and health and wellness options. Already booming in the consumer sector, technology-enabled services for commercial real estate have the potential to reduce operating costs, streamline access to new and innovative office services, and enhance workplace satisfaction. A technology-enabled platform and marketplace can enable companies to strategically scale their facility management needs based on their specific and ever-changing requirements.
This story originally appeared on the CRE.Tech website.
About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.
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